Sonde with integral pressure sensor and method

ABSTRACT

Generally, a sonde, associated components and methods are described which can be used in conjunction with an inground tool having an inground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during an inground operation. A sonde housing assembly includes an exterior configuration that is receivable within the inground tool cavity. The sonde housing assembly at least partially defines a sonde interior and is further configured for receiving the pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement. A sonde electronics package is supported within the sonde interior and is at least configured to receive the pressure signal and transfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde.

BACKGROUND

The present application is generally related to the field of a sonde foruse in inground operations and, more particularly, to a sonde having anintegral pressure sensor and associated method.

Generally, an inground operation such as, for example, drilling to forma borehole, subsequent reaming of a borehole for purposes of installinga utility line and the like use a drill string that can carry a fluid toan inground tool that is disposed at an inground end of the drillstring. The fluid can be carried at relatively high pressure by thedrill string. For example, emitting the drilling fluid from a drillhead, as the inground tool, can assist in cutting through ingroundformations. In some circumstances, the high pressure fluid can introduceproblems since undue pressure can build up around the inground tool whenthe fluid is unable to flow back up the borehole without encounteringsignificant constriction of the borehole surrounding the drill string.The pressure can be so significant as to cause disturbances that extendall the way to the surface of the ground which, for example, coulddamage a roadway. One form of surface damage can be referred to as“blistering”. In other cases, the pressure buildup can cause the fluidto flow in an undesired manner as a contaminant, for example, intoutility lines. In still other cases, sensitive environmental areas couldbe harmed. Applicants recognize that monitoring the pressure surroundingthe inground tool can serve to avoid these problems.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations relatedtherewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Otherlimitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill inthe art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which aremeant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. Invarious embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems havebeen reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed toother improvements.

Generally, a sonde and associated method are described which can be usedin conjunction with an inground tool having an inground tool housingthat defines an inground tool cavity such that the inground tool cavityis exposed to an ambient pressure environment which surrounds theinground tool during an inground operation. The sonde includes apressure sensor having a pressure sensor body. A sonde housing assemblyincludes an exterior configuration that is receivable within theinground tool cavity and the sonde housing assembly at least partiallydefines a sonde interior and is further configured for receiving thepressure sensor body of the pressure sensor in a pressure sealedengagement such that the sonde interior is pressure sealed from theambient pressure environment and the pressure sensor produces a pressuresignal responsive to the ambient pressure environment outside of thesonde housing assembly. A sonde electronics package is supported withinthe sonde interior and is at least configured to receive the pressuresignal and transfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a sonde assembly and anassociated method are described for use in conjunction with an ingroundtool having an inground tool housing that defines an inground toolcavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambientpressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during aninground operation. The sonde assembly includes a sonde housingarrangement having an exterior configuration that is receivable withinthe inground tool cavity. The housing arrangement defines a sondeinterior that is configured to receive a pressure sensor body of apressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement such that the sondeinterior is pressure sealed from the ambient pressure environment andthe pressure sensor produces a pressure signal responsive to the ambientpressure environment outside of the housing arrangement. The housingarrangement is further configured to support at least a sondeelectronics package within the sonde interior to receive the pressuresignal.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, an end cap assemblyand associated method are described for use as part of a sonde that isitself configured for use in an inground tool having an inground toolhousing that defines an inground tool cavity such that the inground toolcavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment which surrounds theinground tool during an inground operation. The sonde includes a sondebody defining an open end. The end cap assembly includes an end cap bodythat is receivable by the open end of the sonde body for pressuresealing engagement therewith and defines a pressure sensor aperture forreceiving a pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressuresealed engagement for producing a pressure signal.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thedrawings and by study of the following descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of thedrawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosedherein are to be illustrative rather than limiting.

FIG. 1 a is a diagrammatic view, in perspective of an embodiment of asonde that is produced in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 b is a diagrammatic further enlarged partial view of one end ofthe sonde of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, in elevation, showing the sonde of FIGS.1 a and 1 b received within an inground housing.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a pressuresensor end cap arrangement that can be used at least as part of thesonde of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of an embodiment of apressure sensor end cap arrangement that can be used at least as part ofthe sonde of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the pressure sensor end caparrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of anothersonde that is configured with a cable for connection to a wire-in-pipearrangement.

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of apressure sensor end cap arrangement that can be used at least in placeof the pressure sensor end cap shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of a modified pressure sensor end capwhich forms part of the pressure sensor end cap arrangement of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective assembled and partially cut-away view of thepressure sensor end cap arrangement of FIG. 7 shown received on a sondemain body and interfaced with an electronics package of the sonde.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the contextof a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe described embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art and the generic principles taught herein may be applied to otherembodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limitedto the embodiment shown, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features described herein includingmodifications and equivalents, as defined within the scope of theappended claims. It is noted that the drawings are not to scale and arediagrammatic in nature in a way that is thought to best illustratefeatures of interest. Descriptive terminology such as, for example, up,down, upper, lower, left, right, inner, outer and the like may be usedwith respect to these descriptions, however, this terminology has beadopted with the intent of facilitating the reader's understanding andis not intended as being limiting. Further, the figures are not to scalefor purposes of illustrative clarity.

Turning now to the figures wherein like components are indicated by likereference numbers throughout the various figures, attention isimmediately directed to FIG. 1 a which is a diagrammatic view, inperspective, of an embodiment of an sonde, generally indicated by thereference number 10, and produced in accordance with the presentdisclosure. Sonde 10 can be used in any suitable inground operation suchas, for example, vertical drilling, horizontal directional drilling,pullback operations for installing utilities, mapping operations,combinations of these operations and in other types of operations. In anembodiment, the sonde can comprise a steering tool. The term sonde, asused herein, refers to an arrangement that includes at least one sensorthat produces a sensor signal and at least the capability to transmit ortransfer the sensor signal and/or one or more signals that are producedresponsive to the sensor signal.

Sonde 10 includes a sonde electronics package 12 that can include, byway of example, a transmitter 20 which, in some embodiments, cantransmit a locating signal 22 such as, for example, a dipole locatingsignal (illustrated by a single flux line) from a dipole antenna 24,although this is not required. In some embodiments, the electronicsassembly can include a transceiver, as opposed to a transmitter, thatcan receive an electromagnetic signal which is generated by otheringround components such as, for example, a tension monitoringarrangement as described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/035,774 entitled DRILL STRING ADAPTER AND METHOD FOR INGROUNDSIGNAL COUPLING, which is incorporated herein by reference. The presentexample will assume that the electromagnetic signal is a locating signalin the form of a dipole signal for descriptive purposes. Accordingly,the electromagnetic signal may be referred to as a locating signal. Itshould be appreciated that the dipole signal can be modulated like anyother electromagnetic signal and that the modulation data is thereafterrecoverable from the signal. The locating functionality of the signaldepends, at least in part, on the characteristic shape of the flux fieldand its signal strength rather than its ability to carry modulation.Thus, modulation is not required. Information regarding certainparameters of the sonde such as, for example, pitch and roll(orientation parameters) and temperature can be measured by a suitablesensor arrangement 30 located within the sonde which can include, forexample, a pitch sensor, a roll sensor, a temperature sensor, an ACfield sensor for sensing proximity of 50/60 Hz utility lines and anyother sensors that are desired such as, for example, a DC magnetic fieldsensor for sensing yaw orientation (a tri-axial magnetometer, with athree axis accelerometer to form a electronic compass to measure yaworientation). It is noted that the sensor arrangement has been shownseparate from transmitter 20 for illustrative purposes, however, thetransmitter or transceiver can be provided as a circuit board assemblythat directly supports and interfaces at least some of the sensors.Electrical connections to other sensors can be provided with the sensorpositioned at any suitable location for sensing a parameter of interest.Transmitter 20 can include a processor. A battery 40 can be providedwithin the sonde for providing electrical power. The battery can be madeup of individual conventional battery cells such as, for example, Ccells based on the diameter of a main body or main housing 50 of thesonde. The main housing can be cylindrical with a circular cross-sectionand can be made up of two cylindrical sections that are adjoined to oneanother. In one embodiment, the housing body can include a first mainbody portion 52 that can be formed from an electrically insulative andnon magnetic material, and which can be referred to as a transceiver ortransmitter housing portion which allows locating signal 22 to passtherethrough. For purposes of convenience, the first main body portionmay be referred to hereinafter as a transmitter housing portion,although it is to be understood that any suitable electronics packagecan be received therein including but not limited to a transmitter or atransceiver. Suitable materials for the body of the transmitter portioninclude, by way of non-limiting example, high strength plastic, such asglass fill nylon and polycarbonate, or composite material such asfiberglass. A second main body portion 54 can be referred to hereinafteras a battery housing portion and can be formed from an electricallyconductive material such as, for example, stainless steel, nickel platedbrass, nickel plated steel or nickel plated stainless steel. In somecases, the battery housing portion can serve as an electrical conductorto carry current from an end of battery 40 that is most remote from thetransmitter housing portion. Each housing portion can be configured towithstand an inground environment to which the sonde may be exposed.Individual electrical connections between the various components of thesonde may not be shown for purposes of illustrative clarity but areunderstood to be present. The battery housing portion and thetransceiver or transmitter housing portion can be assembled, forexample, using threaded engagement with a suitable sealant materialapplied to the threads and/or using one or more sealing members such asO-rings. First and second end cap arrangements 62 and 64, respectively,are used to close the opposing ends of the sonde body as defined by theadjoined battery housing portion and transmitter housing portion. Secondend cap arrangement 64 can be integrally formed from a suitable materialsuch as, for example, stainless steel, nickel plated brass, nickelplated steel or nickel plated stainless steel. The second end cap can bereceived in a free end of battery housing portion 54, for example, usingthreaded engagement, an interference fit, and/or suitable sealingmaterials. As will be further described, first end cap arrangement 62can comprise an assembly which supports a pressure sensor assembly 100.Accordingly, the first end cap arrangement can be referred tohereinafter as a pressure sensor end cap arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 1 b in conjunction with FIG. 1 a, the former is afurther enlarged diagrammatic partial view of the end of sonde 10 whichincludes pressure sensor end cap arrangement 62 to illustrate additionaldetails of its structure. In the present embodiment and by way ofexample, the pressure sensor end cap assembly can include a pressuresensor assembly 100 including a body 102 that supports an electricalconnector 104 at a distal end of the body. Connector 104 is removablyconnectable to a receptacle 106 that can be supported, for example, bythe circuit board assembly of transmitter or transceiver 20. Sensor body102 can be formed, for example, from a suitable potting compoundsupporting a pressure sensor at one end and electrical connector 104 atan opposing end with suitable electrical conductors extendingtherebetween. It should be noted that the pressure sensor itself is notvisible in the views of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, but will be shown in figuresyet to be described. Based on the configuration of first end caparrangement 62, which can be referred to interchangeably as the sensorend cap arrangement, the pressure sensor assembly can be removablyinstalled for ease of replacement, even in the field. In anotherembodiment, yet to be illustrated, electrical conductors can extend fromthe pressure sensor to the circuit board assembly and electricallyconnected to the circuit board assembly in any suitable manner.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an inground housing 200which defines an opposing pair of end fittings. In the present example,both end fittings are box fittings as will be recognized by one havingordinary skill in the art, however, any suitable combination of box andpin fittings may be used. A distal or inground end 210 of the drillstring (only partially shown) engages one end of inground housing 200while a drill head 220 engages an opposing end of inground housing 200.The inground housing includes a housing body 224 which defines a throughpassage 228 for conducting a fluid 230 (shown as an arrow) that can beemitted as jets 232 from the drill head to assist in forming a borehole240. Fluid 230 can therefore become confined and produce pressure inpassing up the borehole between the drill string and the interiorsidewalls of the borehole such that the pressure around the ingroundhousing is indicative of the status of the fluid. That is, if the fluidis unable to travel sufficiently freely up the borehole, the pressurecan increase until the borehole is unable to support the pressure. Itshould also be appreciated that pressure can arise from within theground itself which is generally referred to as pore pressure. The porepressure can be detected, for example, when fluid 230 is not beinginjected. Through measurement of pore pressure Applicant recognizes thatthe height of the water table can be determined.

Referring to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2, sonde 10 is received in a housingcavity 244 of inground housing 224, for example, supported by indexingblocks 246, as will be further described. A cover 250 is removablyreceivable on the inground housing to close housing cavity 244 with thesonde installed. Cover 250 is additionally shown in phantom in a planview to illustrate a slot 252 which can allow for the emission oflocating signal 22. In this regard, it should be appreciated that slot252 also allows for the flow of fluid 230 into the housing cavity suchthat sonde 10 is exposed to pressure that is present in the borehole.Thus, the sonde is exposed to the ambient pressure in the borehole. Thesonde can be received with transceiver housing portion 52 orientedeither toward the drill head or away from the drill head.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, pressure sensor end cap arrangement 62 isshown in exploded perspective views to illustrate details of anembodiment while FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled perspective view of theembodiment. The arrangement includes a pressure sensor end cap 300 thatcan be configured having an inset end 302 that is receivable in a freeend of transmitter housing portion 52 (FIGS. 1 a and 1 b). The inset endcan include threads 304 for example, to provide for threaded engagementor an interference fit engagement, for example, wherein threads 304 canbe annular features that enhance an interference fit. It should beappreciated that suitable sealing materials can be used either alone orin conjunction with threaded or interference engagement. In the presentembodiment, an O-ring 306 is receivable in an O-ring groove 308 to sealor supplementally seal between the end cap and the transmitter housingportion. It should be appreciated that pressure sensor end cap 300 canbe permanently installed on the transmitter housing portion for reasonswhich will become evident. An outer end of the pressure sensor end capincludes a face 310 that defines a sensor aperture 314 that isconfigured for receiving a pressure sensor 320 against an aperture seatthat is defined as a floor of the sensor aperture surrounding a throughpassage 322. Any suitable pressure sensor can be used with theconfiguration of aperture 314 adjusted accordingly, however, onesuitable pressure sensor has been found to be the Model 86-300A sensorproduced by Measurement Specialties. It is noted that the sensoraperture may be offset from the center of the face of the pressuresensor end cap. Face 310 further defines entrance openings of a pair ofthreaded apertures 324. Sensor 320 is configured with an O-ring 330 toform a pressure seal against an interior sidewall of sensor aperture314, although different or additional pressure sealing expedients can beemployed. The pressure sensor further includes a pressure sensordiaphragm 334 that is surrounded by a peripheral sensor rim 336. Anelectrical cable 340 such as, for example, a ribbon cable extends frompressure sensor 320 having electrical conductors on which a pressuresensor signal is available. It is noted that the various conductors ofthe ribbon cable can include, for example, reference conductors, signalconductors and a signal ground. A filter disc 344 defines a plurality offilter holes 346 having a diameter that limits exposure of the sensordiaphragm to contaminants that might damage the diaphragm. The filterdisc includes an overall diameter that is at least approximately thesame as the diameter of pressure sensor 320 such that the filter disc isreceivable in sensor aperture 314. The latter also includes a depth tothe aperture seat that accommodates seating the sensor against theaperture seat while supporting filter disc 344 against peripheral sensorrim 336 with the filter disc also received in the sensor aperture. Asensor cover 360 includes a sensor cover end face 362 that is receivableagainst end face 310 of the pressure sensor end cap such that the sensorcover can be removably mounted, for example, using threaded fasteners366 passing through sensor cover openings 368 and into threadedapertures 324 of the pressure sensor end cap. Filter disc 344 furtherdefines a filter disc peripheral rim 368 that is positioned againstsensor cover end face 362 when the filter disc is captured between themounted sensor cover and pressure sensor 330 within the sensor aperture.The filter disc can be formed from any suitable material including butnot limited to plastic or metal. Suitable plastics include acetal, nylonand UHMW pe [Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight polyethylene]. Suitable metalsinclude, for example, stainless steel.

Turning to FIG. 5, in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4, the former is anassembled view, in perspective, of pressure sensor end cap assembly 62.Sensor cover 360 defines one or more grooves 370 (FIG. 4) in sensorcover end face 362 which define external fluid openings 374 (seeespecially, FIG. 5) for admitting fluid and thereby the ambient pressuresuch that sensor diaphragm 334 is exposed to the ambient pressuresurrounding the sonde. It should be appreciated that grooves 370 andfilter disc peripheral rim 368 cooperate to provide paths through whichthe ambient pressure is conducted to diaphragm 334 of the pressuresensor. An indexing slot 380 can be engaged with a complementary featureof one of indexing blocks 246 (FIG. 2) to support sonde 10 in a selectedroll orientation. It should be appreciated that the pressure passageswhich lead from outside the pressure sensor end cap assembly to thediaphragm of the pressure sensor can be defined as non line-of-sightcircuitous paths so as to protect the diaphragm of the pressure sensorfrom external damage. It is noted that FIGS. 1 and 3 each illustrate atemperature button 386 which is optional and can receive a material thatreacts when exposed to a certain temperature, for example, to establishthat the sonde has been exposed to an over temperature condition.Protection of pressure diaphragm 334 from freezing water can be providedin any suitable manner, if needed. For example, the passages leadingfrom openings 374 to the pressure sensor can be at least partiallypacked with a suitable grease such as a silicone grease. As anotherexample, a compliance member such as a closed cell foam (e.g., a layerof a silicone closed cell foam) can be positioned between pressuresensor 330 and filter disc 344. In view of the foregoing, it should beappreciated that the pressure sensor can be replaced by removing cover360 without the need to remove pressure sensor end cap 300 from the mainbody of the sonde. Cable 340 can readily be configured as sufficientlyrigid to engage a connector receptacle in the manner illustrated by FIG.1 a with respect to receptacle 106. In another embodiment, thearrangement shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b can be used, for example, byforming body 102 that encapsulates electrical conductors leading fromthe pressure sensor to a suitable electrical connector. Suitableencapsulants include potting compounds such as, for example, lowdurometer polyurethane, any suitable type of electronic grade RTV orepoxy.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 6 which illustrates a sonde that isgenerally indicated by the reference number 10′ and produced inaccordance with the present disclosure. In one embodiment, sonde 10′ canbe configured in the same manner as sonde 10 of FIG. 1 with theexceptions that battery 40 and battery portion 54 of the main body arenot used. Further, a main housing body 52′ can provide for emission of alocating or other electromagnetic signal, if an appropriate transmitteris housed by the sonde and/or for reception of an electromagnetic signalfrom an aboveground location. In an embodiment, a cable 600 can extendfrom second end cap 64 for electrical connection, for example, to awire-in-pipe arrangement. A suitable wire-in-pipe arrangement isdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,223,826, 6,655,464 and 6,845,822 which arecommonly owned with the present application and hereby incorporated byreference. Power can be provided from the drill rig, to the wire-in-pipearrangement, and to cable 600, as will be familiar to one havingordinary skill in the art. The wire-in-pipe conductor can be used tocarry electrical power to the sonde, thereby eliminating the need for abattery, and/or to carry electrical signals between the drill rig andsonde such as, for example, a pressure signal from the sonde to thedrill rig. In some embodiments, it may not be necessary to transfer anelectromagnetic signal through the main body housing, in which case mainhousing body 52′ can be formed from an electrically conductive material.In another embodiment, a battery and battery compartment can be providedas shown in FIG. 1 along with cable 600.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 7 which is a perspective exploded viewof another embodiment of a first pressure sensor end cap arrangementthat is generally indicated by the reference number 62′ which can beused in any of the sondes that have been described above. Since certaincomponents and features from first pressure sensor end cap arrangement62 (FIGS. 3-5) are also used in FIG. 7, descriptions of such likecomponents and features may not be repeated for purposes of brevity. Asis the case with aforedescribed end cap arrangement 62, end caparrangement 62′ includes a modified pressure sensor end cap 300′ thatcan be integrally formed, for example, by machining from a suitablematerial such as, for example, stainless steel, nickel plated brass,nickel plated steel or nickel plated stainless steel. A first one of apair of pressure conducting passages 702, shown using dashed lines,extends between external fluid openings 374′. A second passage of thepair can be formed opposite indexing groove 380 with respect to thefirst passage, but is not shown in the present figure due toillustrative constraints.

Turning to FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 7, the former is aperspective rear view of modified pressure sensor end cap 300′, shownhere to illustrate additional details with respect to its structure. Inparticular, one entrance opening 374′ of first passage 702 can be seenas well as one entrance opening 374″ of another pair of entranceopenings between which a second passage 704 of the pair of passagesextends. A sensor aperture 800 is defined in an end cap floor 802 fromwhich inset end 302 extends outwardly. Sensor aperture 800 is configuredto receive pressure sensor 320 with pressure diaphragm 334 of the sensorconfronting a floor 804 of the sensor aperture. A first pair of branchpressure conducting passages 810 are formed in sensor aperture floor 804and lead from the aperture floor into pressure conducting passage 702while a second pair of branch pressure conducting passages 812 areformed in pressure sensor aperture floor 804 and lead into secondpressure passage 704. The branch pressure conducting passages can beformed, for example, by drilling using a depth limit. It should beappreciated that the particular arrangement of passages that conductpressure to the sensor is provided by way of example and that a widevariety of modifications can be provided by one of ordinary skill in theart having this overall disclosure in hand. In is noted that the branchpressure passages function in a manner that is similar to that ofopenings 346 of filter disc 368 (FIGS. 3 and 4) by limiting the size ofcontaminants that are able to pass therethrough. The present embodimentoffsets sensor aperture 800 in end cap floor 802, although this is notrequired, with a pair of threaded openings 814 (one of which isexplicitly designated) arranged adjacent to sensor aperture 800. A pairof fasteners 820, one of which is shown and designated in FIG. 7, arereceivable in openings 810 such that sensor 320 can be captured by thehead of each of the fasteners and the pressure sensor can be removablyinstalled. It should be appreciated that other expedients may be usedfor retaining the pressure sensor such as, for example, using a singlefastener. Modified pressure sensor end cap 300′ can be installed inaforedescribed bodies 52, 52′ or other suitable cylindrical bodies forremovable replacement, for example, using threaded engagement or aninterference fit so that pressure sensor 320 is replaceable. It shouldbe appreciated that the pressure passages that lead from outside thepressure sensor end cap assembly to the diaphragm of the pressure sensorcan be defined as non line-of-sight circuitous paths so as to protectthe diaphragm of the pressure sensor from external damage. As describedabove, the pressure passages can be packed with a suitable grease toavoid freezing damage to the pressure sensor and/or a suitable foam disccan be installed in sensor aperture 800 prior to inserting pressuresensor 320.

FIG. 9 is a perspective assembled and partially cut-away view ofpressure sensor end cap arrangement 62′ installed in main body portion52 with the latter partially shown and partially cut-away to illustratedetails of the installed configuration. In particular, sensor 320 isinstalled and retained by fasteners 820 with cable 340 extending to areceptacle on transmitter 20.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or formsdisclosed, and other embodiments, modifications and variations may bepossible in light of the above teachings wherein those of skill in theart will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions andsub-combinations thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sonde for use in an inground tool having aninground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavity such that theinground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment whichsurrounds the inground tool during an inground operation, said sondecomprising: a pressure sensor having a pressure sensor body; a sondehousing assembly including an at least generally cylindrical andelongated main body having first and second opposing ends and anexterior configuration that is receivable within said inground toolcavity and said sonde housing assembly at least partially defines asonde interior and is further configured for receiving the pressuresensor body of the pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement suchthat the sonde interior is pressure sealed from the ambient pressureenvironment and the pressure sensor produces a pressure signalresponsive to said ambient pressure environment outside of the sondehousing assembly, said main body including a first main body portionthat is configured for supporting a sonde electronics package and asecond main body portion that is configured for receiving a battery withthe first main body portion and the second main body portion in pressuresealing engagement; and said sonde electronics package supported withinthe sonde interior and at least configured to receive said pressuresignal and transfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde. 2.The sonde of claim 1 wherein said first main body portion receives afirst end cap and said second main body portion receives a second endcap.
 3. The sonde of claim 2 wherein said first end cap is integrallyformed and is configured having an outer end that defines a sensoraperture to receive the pressure sensor body of the pressure sensor insaid pressure sealed engagement and an inset end that is receivablewithin an open end of the first main body portion.
 4. The sonde of claim3 wherein said first end cap defines at least one non line-of-sightcircuitous path leading to the pressure sensor from outside the firstend cap.
 5. The sonde of claim 4 wherein the pressure sensor includes apressure diaphragm and the sensor aperture is configured such that thepressure sensor is receivable against a floor of the sensor aperture andthe pressure diaphragm confronts said floor and at least one pressureconducting passage is defined passing through the floor to form part ofthe non line-of-sight path.
 6. A sonde for use in an inground toolhaving an inground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavitysuch that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressureenvironment which surrounds the inground tool during an ingroundoperation, said sonde comprising: a pressure sensor having a pressuresensor body; a sonde housing assembly including an at least generallycylindrical and elongated main body having first and second opposingends and having an exterior configuration that is receivable within saidinground tool cavity and said sonde housing assembly at least partiallydefines a sonde interior and is further configured for receiving thepressure sensor body of the pressure sensor in a pressure sealedengagement such that the sonde interior is pressure sealed from theambient pressure environment and the pressure sensor produces a pressuresignal responsive to said ambient pressure environment outside of thesonde housing assembly and further including first and second end capsthat are receivable by said first and second opposing ends,respectively, of said main body in pressure sealing engagement with themain body such that the first end cap is configured to receive saidpressure sensor in said pressure sealed engagement and said second endcap is configured for pressure sealing said second end of the main body;and a sonde electronics package that is supported within the sondeinterior and is at least configured to receive said pressure signal andtransfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde.
 7. The sonde ofclaim 6 wherein said main body defines an inner surface and said firstand second end caps are each configured with an exterior surface forengaging said inner surface.
 8. The sonde of claim 7 wherein saidexterior surface of each of said first and second endcaps is configuredwith an o-ring groove for receiving an o-ring that is captured betweeneach endcap and the main body to at least partially pressure seal eachof the first and second endcaps against the inner surface of the mainbody.
 9. The sonde of claim 6 wherein said first end cap defines asensor aperture for removably receiving the sensor with the first endcap in pressure sealed engagement with the main body.
 10. The sonde ofclaim 9 wherein said first end cap is configured for receiving a coverthat retains the pressure sensor within the sensor aperture.
 11. Thesonde of claim 10 wherein said cover is removably engagable with thefirst end cap.
 12. The sonde of claim 11 wherein said first end cap isconfigured for receiving at least a threaded fastener to hold the coverin removable engagement with the first end cap.
 13. The sonde of claim10 wherein said cover defines at least one pressure passage that leadsto the pressure sensor from outside the cover when removably engagedwith the end cap body.
 14. The sonde of claim 13 wherein the pressurepassage defines a non-line-of-sight circuitous path leading to thepressure sensor from outside the cover.
 15. The sonde of claim 13including a filter member that is received with the pressure passage.16. The sonde of claim 15 wherein the filter member is a filter disc.17. The sonde of claim 16 wherein the pressure sensor includes apressure diaphragm and wherein said cover defines at least one nonline-of-sight circuitous path to provide pressure communication to thepressure diaphragm from outside the first end cap and the sensoraperture is configured such that the pressure diaphragm faces an innersurface of the cover when received in the sensor aperture.
 18. The sondeof claim 17 wherein the filter disc is captured between and in contactwith the sensor body and the pressure sensor within the sensor aperture.19. The sonde of claim 6 wherein said first end cap defines a sensoraperture for removably receiving the sensor such that the pressuresensor is accessible and replaceable only with the first end cap removedfrom said main body.
 20. The sonde of claim 19 wherein said first endcap is integrally formed and defines at least one pressure passage thatleads to the pressure sensor from outside the first end cap.
 21. Thesonde of claim 20 wherein the pressure passage defines anon-line-of-sight circuitous path leading to the pressure sensor fromoutside the first end cap.
 22. The sonde of claim 21 wherein the firstend cap includes an outer end that defines the pressure passage and thesensor aperture and an inset end that is receivable within the first endof the main body.
 23. The sonde of claim 22 wherein the pressure sensorincludes a pressure diaphragm and the sensor aperture is configured suchthat the pressure sensor is receivable against a floor of the sensoraperture and the pressure diaphragm confronts said floor and at leastone pressure conducting passage is defined passing through the floor toform part of the non line-of-sight path.
 24. An end cap assembly for useas part of a sonde that is itself configured for use in an inground toolhaving an inground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavitysuch that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressureenvironment which surrounds the inground tool during an ingroundoperation, said sonde including a sonde body defining an open end, saidend cap assembly comprising: an end cap body that is receivable by saidopen end of the sonde body for pressure sealing engagement therewith anddefining a pressure sensor aperture for removably receiving a pressuresensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement forproducing a pressure signal and said end cap body is configured forreceiving a cover that retains the pressure sensor within the sensoraperture.
 25. The end cap assembly of claim 24 wherein said cover isremovably engagable with the end cap body.
 26. The end cap assembly ofclaim 25 wherein said end cap body is configured for receiving at leasta threaded fastener to hold the cover in removable engagement with thefirst end cap.
 27. The end cap assembly of claim 24 wherein said coverdefines at least one pressure passage that leads to the pressure sensorfrom outside the cover when removably engaged with the end cap body. 28.The end cap assembly of claim 27 wherein the pressure passage defines anon-line-of-sight circuitous path leading to the pressure sensor fromoutside the cover.
 29. The end cap assembly of claim 27 including afilter member that is received with the pressure passage.
 30. The endcap assembly of claim 29 wherein the filter member is a filter disc. 31.The end cap assembly of claim 24 wherein said end cap body defines thesensor aperture for removably receiving the sensor such that thepressure sensor is accessible and replaceable only with the end cap bodyremoved from said main body.
 32. The end cap assembly of claim 24wherein said end cap body is integrally formed and is configured havingan outer end that defines said sensor aperture to receive the pressuresensor body of the pressure sensor in said pressure sealed engagementand an inset end that is receivable within the open end of the sondebody.
 33. The end cap assembly of claim 32 wherein the pressure sensorincludes a pressure diaphragm and wherein said cover defines at leastone non line-of-sight circuitous path to provide pressure communicationto the pressure diaphragm from outside the end cap body and the sensoraperture is configured such that the pressure diaphragm faces an innersurface of the cover and at least one pressure conducting passage isdefined passing through the inner surface to form part of the nonline-of-sight circuitous path.
 34. The end cap assembly of claim 33further comprising a filter disc that is captured between and in contactwith the sensor body and the inner surface of the cover.
 35. An end capassembly for use as part of a sonde that is itself configured for use inan inground tool having an inground tool housing that defines aninground tool cavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to anambient pressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during aninground operation, said sonde including a sonde body defining an openend, said end cap assembly comprising: an end cap body that isreceivable by said open end of the sonde body for pressure sealingengagement therewith and defining a pressure sensor aperture forreceiving a pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressuresealed engagement for producing a pressure signal such that (i) said endcap body defines the sensor aperture for removably receiving the sensorso that the pressure sensor is accessible and replaceable only with theend cap body removed from said main body and (ii) said end cap body isintegrally formed and defines at least one pressure passage that leadsto the pressure sensor from outside the end cap body.
 36. The end capassembly of claim 35 wherein the pressure passage defines anon-line-of-sight circuitous path leading to the pressure sensor fromoutside the first end cap.
 37. The end cap assembly of claim 35 whereinsaid end cap is configured having an outer end that defines the pressuresensor aperture to receive the pressure sensor body of the pressuresensor in said pressure sealed engagement and an inset end that isreceivable within the open end of the sonde body.
 38. The end capassembly of claim 37 wherein the pressure sensor includes a pressurediaphragm and the sensor aperture is configured such that the pressuresensor is receivable against a floor of the sensor aperture and thepressure diaphragm confronts said floor such that the sensor body isreceived against said floor.
 39. The end cap assembly of claim 38wherein said pressure passage is defined, at least in part, as passingthrough the floor to form part of a non line-of-sight circuitous pathleading to the pressure sensor from outside the end cap assembly.
 40. Amethod for producing a sonde for use in an inground tool having aninground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavity such that theinground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment whichsurrounds the inground tool during an inground operation, said methodcomprising: providing a pressure sensor having a pressure sensor body;configuring a sonde housing assembly including an at least generallycylindrical and elongated main body having first and second opposingends and to include an exterior configuration that is receivable withinsaid inground tool cavity and to at least partially define a sondeinterior and further configuring the sonde housing assembly forreceiving the pressure sensor body of the pressure sensor in a pressuresealed engagement such that the sonde interior is pressure sealed fromthe ambient pressure environment such that the pressure sensor canproduce a pressure signal responsive to said ambient pressureenvironment outside of the sonde housing assembly and forming said mainbody to include a first main body portion that is configured forsupporting a sonde electronics package and a second main body portionthat is configured for receiving a battery with the first main bodyportion and the second main body portion in pressure sealing engagement;and supporting the sonde electronics package within the sonde interiorat least to receive said pressure signal and transfer a correspondingpressure signal from the sonde.
 41. The method of claim 40 furthercomprising configuring said first main body portion to receive a firstend cap that is integrally formed and said second main body portion toreceive a second end cap and configuring the first end cap having anouter end that defines a sensor aperture to receive the pressure sensorbody of the pressure sensor in said pressure sealed engagement and aninset end that is receivable within an open end of the first main bodyportion.
 42. The method of claim 41 further comprising defining at leastone non line-of-sight circuitous path within the first end cap leadingto the pressure sensor from outside the first end cap.
 43. The method ofclaim 42 wherein the pressure sensor includes a pressure diaphragm andconfiguring the sensor aperture such that the pressure sensor isreceivable against a floor of the sensor aperture and the pressurediaphragm confronts said floor and at least one pressure conductingpassage is defined passing through the floor to form part of the nonline-of-sight path.
 44. A method for producing an end cap assembly foruse as part of a sonde that is itself configured for use in an ingroundtool having an inground tool housing that defines an inground toolcavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambientpressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during aninground operation, said sonde including a sonde body defining an openend, said method comprising: configuring an end cap body as receivableby said open end of the sonde body for pressure sealing engagementtherewith and to define a pressure sensor aperture for receiving apressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealedengagement for producing a pressure signal and configuring said end capbody for receiving a cover that retains the pressure sensor within thesensor aperture.
 45. The method of claim 44 further comprisingintegrally forming the end cap body to include an outer end that definesthe pressure sensor aperture to receive the pressure sensor body of thepressure sensor in said pressure sealed engagement and an inset end thatis receivable within the open end of the sonde body.
 46. The method ofclaim 45 wherein the pressure sensor includes a pressure diaphragm andfurther comprising configuring said cover to define at least one nonline-of-sight circuitous path to provide pressure communication to thepressure diaphragm from outside the end cap body and configuring thepressure sensor aperture such that the pressure diaphragm faces an innersurface of the cover and at least one pressure conducting passage isdefined passing through the inner surface to form part of the nonline-of-sight circuitous path.
 47. The method of claim 46 furthercomprising capturing a filter disc between and in contact with thesensor body and the inner surface of the cover.